NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Steven Jackson and St. Louis 'hungry to be successful.'

View full sizeAP Photo/Jeff RobersonSt. Louis running back Steven Jackson, left, scores on a one-yard touchdown run as San Francisco defensive tackle Justin Smith, right, defends during the first quarter Sunday.

Seattle’s 2010 résumé reads more like one belonging to a team preparing to select in the top 10 of the NFL Draft rather than that of a potential division champion.

Total offense rank: 28th

Scoring offense: 23rd (19.6)

Total defense rank: 30th

Scoring defense: 29th (26.7)

Give/take away: -9

Average margin of defeat: 21.2

Road record: 2-6

Yet, with one game remaining in the season the 6-9 Seahawks, losers of five of their last six, stand one win away from claiming the NFC West division title and earning the dubious distinction of becoming the first sub-.500 division champion in NFL history.

Seattle hosts St. Louis (7-8) on Sunday night in a prime time game more suited to be slotted during daytime television somewhere between The View and the Price is Right.

The 1985 Cleveland Browns and the 2008 San Diego Chargers are the only division champions to finish .500 (8-8). Five other .500 teams have earned wild card berths.

"For us to still have this opportunity as poorly as we have played at times, as poorly as we performed tonight, is a huge opportunity and one that very, very few teams get," Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck told reporters following Sunday's 38-15 loss at Tampa Bay.

It’s also an opportunity no team truly deserves. And the Rams aren’t much better.

Seattle lost at St. Louis 20-3 during week 4. The Rams are seeking their first playoff berth since 2004 and first division title since 2003.

St. Louis hasn’t won at Seattle since 2004, running back Steven Jackson’s rookie year.

“We’re playing another tough divisional foe that matches up with us well,” Jackson, out of Oregon State, told reporters following the Rams’ 25-17 win over San Francisco on Sunday. “But I think guys showed today that we’re hungry. We’re hungry to be successful.”

At least a St. Louis win would keep the NFL’s streak alive of not having a sub-.500 team in the playoffs, something Seattle is interested in seeing come to an end.

"So this is something that we've aimed for," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Monday. "It's come in kind of an unusual manner, but the fact that we're there, we're going to go for it and be excited about it and see if we can put together a great game."

21 (19). Tennessee (6-9): Some are suggesting that the Titans owner will choose quarterback Vince Young over coach Jeff Fisher. That should work out well (sarcasm). Next up: at IndianapolisLocal newspaper coverage:The Tennessean